Literature in English, British Isles Commons^™

Mrs. Transome And 'Desecrated Sanctities', H.S. Kakar

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

As George Eliot's Introduction to Felix Holt would lead one to expect, the crux of the tragedy which this novel embodies is the "pity and terror" evoked by the "downfall of blindly-climbing hopes", rather than mere peripatetic - the 'discovery' of Mrs. Transome's guilty past. As always in her novels, the tragic reversal that really matters is not an external incident: it is internalised and is closely linked with moral 'recognition'. Mrs. Transome's agonised consciousness of her violated conscience, which the reader shares all through, is a prominent element in her suffering. The scene in the White Hart (Chapter 47) …

To Pray Or Not To Pray, Kathleen Adams

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

No-one who has read George Eliot's novels can be unaware of her interest in the clergy as characters for her fiction - Amos Barton, Mr. Gilfil, Mr. Tryan, Mr. Irwine, Rufus Lyon - or of her knowledge of various expressions of faith - Evangelical, Methodist, Independent, through to ..Judaism in her final novel, Daniel Deronda. She writes of the clergy with a minimum of caricature, some criticism, but she is never without compassion.

Reading her letters confirms this interest as well as her Iife-Iong search for knowledge of the subject and, because her quest is so well documented, her views …

Book Review: George Eliot And Nineteenth-Century Science: The Make-Believe Of A Beginning, Graham Handley

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

This is a sustained investigation of the novels (Scenes of Clerical Life is virtually omitted) and the scientific climate and knowledge which inform them. It is a necessary and stimulating book, firmly anchored in 19th century scientific: theory. It underpins what we have always known but never perhaps spelled out fully, and that is the depth and width of George Eliot's scientific interests and how she integrated them into her work. Dr. Shuttleworth notes that George Eliot's knowledge of science was 'unmatched by any of her peers' and at the same time indicates the centre of her own study - …

The George Elliot Fellowship Review 1987 No.18, Kathleen Adams, Graham Handley

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

CONTENTS 1987

President’s Message 6

Annual Report- 1986 7

Accounts- 1986 15

Treasurer’s Report- 1986 16

George Eliot Memorial Lecture- 1986: Silas Marner: Filming the Novel by Louis Marks 16

Nuneanton Wreath-laying- June 1986 24

Westminster Abbey Wreath-laying- 1986 25

Shakespearean Allusionsin ‘Janet’s Repentance by A.G. van den Broek 27

Book Reviews:

The Clarendon Edition of Middlemerch edited by David Carroll 40

George Eliot and 19^th Century Science: The Make-Believe of a Beginning by Sally Shuttleworh 42

George Eliot by Gillian Beer 43

Poem: At the Grave of George Eliot by Amy Clampitt 46

A Hard Moral Core by …

The Manuscript Of Daniel Deronda: A Change In Sequence?, Graham Handley

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

The examination of a great writer's manuscript carries its own fascinations and frustrations, for eyes and mind are intent on discovery, with might-have-been replacing is at the blink of an eyelid. Deletions hide something of significance, single-word alterations are evidence of a change of mind (or of heart), and commonplaces are elevated by a single deft stroke or slant into transcendent maxims or inscrutable morality. Re-shaped sentences take on a greater profundity of thought, while paragraphs collated with the first printing or a later corrected one, show either the wisdom of reflection or the author's obstinacy, depending on the reader's …

Message Of Greeting From The Fellowship President, Jonathan G. Ouvry

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

Having very much enjoyed my three year spell as President of the Fellowship I was delighted and honoured to hear from Kathleen Adams that I had been re-elected. She allayed my suspicion that this was simply to avoid the expense of reprinting the letterheading, pointing out that Ann Reader had retired from the Treasurership so that change. was, in any event, inevitable. I would like to add my personal thanks to Ann for all her tireless work in keeping the Fellowship on a sound financial basis over a very long period, and at the same time wish her successor a …

Book Review: The Clarendon Edition Of Middlemarch, Kathleen Porter

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

We welcome the Clarendon edition of George Eliot’s Middlemarch, which is generally considered to be her greatest novel. It took her about three years to write, and it seems to have caused a good deal of trouble to all concerned.

David Carroll's splendid Introduction, although not intended to be biographical, offers the reader a glimpse of the working life of the Leweses. As the Editor tells us, George Eliot left no detailed account of the 'germ' of Middlemarch, but her letters to John Blackwood gave hints that an 'English novel' was in her mind as early as 1867. Then, after …

"Listening" A Poem Inspired By Middlemarch, M.A. Valk

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

LISTENING

Listening to silence

on its other side

hearing the grass grow

the beat of a bird's heart

the fall of a star

Shall 1 die of the roar

waiting for silence

to break - like glass?

Book Review: George Eliot, Kathleen Adams, Jennifer Uglow

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

When I first heard that Virago were to pubIish a book about George Eliot (the author sought my help in locating certain photographs) I was a Iittle apprehensive. I feared that this might be a militant feminist view of a lady who concerned herself deeply about the 'Woman Question' but who did not align herself with the growing Victorian feminist movement. But a first reading allayed my fears, for Jennifer Uglow treats her subject with sympathy and understanding and does not try to prove that George Eliot was an active feminist when she was not.

The book opens with a …

The Sixteenth George Eliot Memorial Lecture- 1987, Beryl Gray

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

Although from its first chapter the novel evolves towards the crises of Maggie's brief maturity, my focus here is on the two final Books of The Mill on the Floss. Book VI is called "The Great Temptation"; Book VII is called ''The Final Rescue". Taken together, these two Books can be read as an allegory of moral struggle and redemption.

The temptation itself is located in Paradise. Indeed, the first chapter of Book VI - ''The Great Temptation" - is entitled" A Duet in Paradise". In conjunction, the key titular words - "Temptation" and "Paradise" - conjure the Temptation in …

George Eliot's Wesleyan Madonna, Elsie B. Homes

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

George Eliot's "favorite painting in all the world" was Raphael's "Sistine Madonna”, which she and George Henry Lewes first viewed at Dresden when she was writing Adam Bede. In her journal, she recorded that on her first sight of the painting she sat down briefly, but then "a sort of awe, as if I were suddenly in the presence of some glorious being, made my heart swell too much for me to remain comfortably, and we hurried out of the room" (Haight 264). Each day as they came to the gallery, they would return last to what Lewes termed “this …

Annual Report 1987

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

Before I began this, my 20th. annual Report, 1 looked back to my first and found, to my amusement, that it was a mere half quarto page! During that year we had visited the Amold Bennett Country, seen the play of 'Wutherlng Heights', and our Guest of Honour at the Dinner was the writer, Richard Church, a kinsman of George Eliot. Our total membership was 60.

1987 was inevitably a quieter year than 1986 - can it really be more than two years since we unveiled the Statue? At the AGM in March it seemed almost inevitable that we should …

A Hard Moral Core, Vic Hopkins

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

The novelist C. P. Snow, reviewing a book on George Eliot by Robert Speaight (1954), seeking an answer to his own question: “Which of the Victorian novelists means much to the younger writers today?", after rejecting most of them, finally selected George Eliot, who, in her time, he explained

"received a complete esteem not given to any other English novelist, and who afterwards became regarded as a faintly comic monument.”

I paused over the statement, puzzled and fearing worse might follow, but mercifully the writer of it, buoyed perhaps by the thought II serious art needs a hard moral core", …

The Spherical Vision, Nancy Topping Bazin

English Faculty Publications

Virginia Woolf's experiences as a manic-depressive influenced her vision of reality and, in tum, her aesthetics. Manic-depression is a "cyclic" illness-cyclic in the sense that the manic-depressive moves alternately between two extreme psychological states. Hence, he experiences reality in terms of two opposite perspectives. Psychotic depression involves what Jung describes as the experience of the "shadow." That is, looking into the unconscious, the individual sees his own reflection. He takes a risk in looking, for as Jung says, "The mirror does not flatter, it faithfully shows whatever looks into it; namely, the face we never show to the world because …

“What Thyng It Is That Wommen Moost Desiren”: Image And Self-Realization In The Wife Of Bath's Prologue And Tale, Thomas W. Köhn

Masters Theses

The Wife of Bath is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating of the Canterbury pilgrims. At the same time she is one of those literary figures whose complex character constantly seems to elude the reader's judgement. Alisoun presents herself as a feminist advocating male subjection and female sovereignty in marriage, but her self-assertive behaviour cannot conceal an equally powerful longing for love and acceptance. Some critics therefore praise the psychological depth of the Wife's portrayal while others label her a stock character and join in the derisive laughter they believe her fellow pilgrims to bestow on her.

This thesis explores …

The Technical Achievement Of C. Rossetti In Goblin Market And Other Poems, Jay D. Fisk

Masters Theses

During Christina Rossetti's lifetime (1830-1894), and for some fifty years after her death, critical attention focused on her life, more specifically on how that life affected her poetry. Critics tried to show how her Italian ancestors, artistic brothers, spiritual mother and sister, and her many illnesses influenced her works. Other than these basic facts, little else was known.

Later, psychological critics found much sexual symbolism in the "repressed" poet's works. "Goblin Market," with its tale of strange little goblin men seducing innocent maids with their fruits seemed particularly well-suited to a Freudian approach. This poem received so much attention that …

The George Eliot Fellowship Treasurer's Report- 1986

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

You will see from the Statement, which I hope is straightforward, that the finances of the Fellowship are in a satisfactory condition. In 1986 one of our High Income Bonds matured and was reinvested, together with £250 from the Snare Account, in a Capital Share 90 Account. This gives us a better rate of interest on our investment.

Profits on meetings, outing and sales are very encouraging. We prefer to raise money by our efforts rather than have to increase subscriptions and 1986 was a good year, with the result that subscriptions for this year remain the same as in …

George Eliot And Theatre: The Toast To The Immortal Memory, Kathleen Adams

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

In 1838, at the age of 18, Mary Ann Evans was deep in her evangelical period, taking everything very, very seriously. On a visit to London with her brother Isaac she refused to accompany him to the theatre, preferring instead to stay home and read History of the Jews. Not quite theatre, but she went to S1. Michaelis Church in Coventry with Miss Rebecca Franklin, her teacher at the Coventry school, to hear Haydn's Creat'ion, Handel's Jephtha and a new oratorio by Mendelssohn entitled Paul (all in one concert) and she wrote to her old school-friend, Martha Jackson, "nothing can …

"'Minds That Move At Large': A Scottish Perspective On Collegiate Literary Societies, Past And Present", Patrick G. Scott

Faculty Publications

This paper contrasts two kinds of literary society, based on examples from eighteenth-century Edinburgh: the "ludic" or playful use of rhetoric in the early 18th century Easy Club, centred on the Scottish poet Allan Ramsay (1686-1758), and the "agonistic" or forensic rhetoric of the later 18th century Speculative Society, especially as seen in the Scottish lawyer and reviewer Francis Jeffrey (1773-1850) and in the influential Edinburgh Review for which he wrote. The paper originated as the keynote address to Rhetor '86: the Convention of the National Association of Collegiate Literary Societies, held in Columbia, SC, October 10, 1986.

Milton's Land-Ships And John Wilkins, Sidney Gottlieb

Communication, Media & The Arts Faculty Publications

Frank Huntley's highly informative essay on "Vultures, Chinese Land-Ships, and Milton's 'Paradise of Fools' " surveys much of the background for Milton's quick reference to the wind-driven "cany Waggons light" in Paradise Lost 3.437-39.' He suggests that subtle wordplay makes these vehicles a particularly apt introduction to the anti-Catholic satire that immediately follow

Address At Westminster Abbey Wreath-Laying

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

ROSEMARY MARTIN was our Guest of Honour. She had been invited because of her very sympathetic portrayal of Dolly Winthrop in the BBC Television film of 'Silas Marner' - a much loved character with a special place in George Eliot's novel.

After she had placed the Fellowship chaplet of laurel and white carnations on the Memorial Stone which had been unveiled exactly six years earlier by Gordon S. Haight, Miss Martin admitted that, prior to the invitation to play Dolly Winthrop in the film, she had read no George Eliot. She was interested in the part and then read 'Silas …

Speech At The Nuneaton Wreath-Laying, Len Struebig

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

Almost twenty years ago, for the first time, I joined the small group of admirers who annually pay tribute to the memory of Nuneaton's famous daughter.

It is perhaps fitting that my last public duty, albeit as ex-Curator, should be connected with George Eliot. Over the years I have listened with interest to the various speakers, each with their own particular reason for being honoured with the responsibility for laying the Fellowship tribute.

I have heard Lewes and Evans descendants recount family memories handed down with pride. Last year we heard John Letts tell us of the close bond which …

Shakespeare's Henry V And The Alexandrian Allusion, Winona Howe

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The character of Henry V (in Shakespeare's play of the same name) has been a matter of debate among critics, some of whom accept the historical view of Henry as an extraordinarily able and heroic king, while others view him as an extremely unattractive personality, a spiritual hypocrite, and a conqueror of unmitigated cruelty. Cited as supporting evidence for this unflattering portrait is a passage in Act IV which consists of a conversation between two characters, Gower and Fluellen. In this conversation, Henry is compared to Alexander the Great or "the Pig" as Fluellen terms him.

Two critics, Ronald Berman …

Beowulf For Modern Man: Orality And Literacy And The Anglo-Saxon Heroic Poem, Mark David Nevins

Fenwick Scholar Program

My goal in this thesis is to show the difference of interpretation between a reading of the Old English poem Beowulf as the work of an oral performer and a reading of it as the work of a literate author. Given the premises set down by intensive study of oral composition of poetry, and given all the literate arguments for interpreting the poem, I would like to show that Beowulf can still be read as an oral poem, and that such a reading may result in an understanding of the poem that is at least as good, if not more …

Charles Dickens & The Breakdown Of Society's Institutions For Children, David Major

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

As a social critic, Charles Dickens carries an attack against the mistreatment of children throughout his career. At first reacting in the defense of wronged children, he develops a view of the process of social breakdown that results from mistreating children. Adults fai3 in their duty to children because they fail to recognize the needs of children as children and even fail to recognize the human rights of children. This mistreatment is implemented by social institutions that are supposedly dedicated to caring for children. The family fails to bring up the child with love and care. The child's education rarely …

Treasurer's Report 1985

The George Eliot Review Online, ISSN: 2831-5375

You wiII see from the Statement that our finances are healthy despite high expenses last year. The loss of almost £94 on the Annual Readings was both unexpected and disappointing. For years we have benefited financially from Gabriel Woolf's Readings and we welcome his wiIIingness to come again this year, when we hope to be able to show our appreciation of his continued support. We are fortunate to have many generous members, whose help has been invaluable. We had a bequest of £ 100 from the late Mrs. Reeve and donations of £260. 67p.

Dr. Ezell continues, at his own …

"The Validity Of E.D. Hirsch", Patrick G. Scott

Faculty Publications

Argues that the negative reaction to E.D. Hirsch's controversial book Cultural Literacy stems from ignoring the continuities between his early work as a literary critic and theorist with his later work on writing and composition. Originally presented at the Winthrop College Rhetoric Symposium, 1986.

Orts 9, 1986, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

1. After what seems a long winter it is good to look out of the window and see the sun shining at long last. Spring usually brings on a new burst of energy and here is the newsletter – apologies for the slight delay.

Orts 10, 1986, The George Macdonald Society

Orts: The George MacDonald Society Newsletter

1. Already the damp autumn weather has arrived and thoughts are turning towards Christmas. A little Mediterranean respite was granted to Freda Levson, Jean Schurer and Bill Raeper, however, when they travelled to Bordighera in Italy from the 13th to the 20th September at the invitation of the Anglo-Ligurian Club to join in their annual celebrations commemorating the death of George MacDonald on September 18th. The club itself flourishes under the energetic presidency of Miriam Masterton and seeks to unite Italians and English speakers adopting the principles that MacDonald himself used at Casa Coraggio. Certainly the warmth and generosity of …

Patterns And Patterning: A Study Of Four Poems By George Herbert (Book Review), Sidney Gottlieb

Communication, Media & The Arts Faculty Publications

Book review by Sidney Gottlieb.

Westerweel, B. (1984). Patterns and patterning: A study of four poems by George Herbert. Amsterdam: Rodopi; Atlantic Highlands, NJ: distributed by Humanities Press.

ISBN 9789062039456